Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

[yuriko]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

Thanks walletless, I will take your points and put it into good use.

As for microfibre towels from Meguairs, it should not be creating more swirls/scracthes and should be safe to wipe off all products? Just that there's so many different towels its hard to justify the spending ><

"My general rule is that if the pad is close to drying up, I apply more UC. You don't want UC to completely dry - you should be able to easily wipe it off once you are done correcting"

Alright so like how the UC video guide does it, apply once, wipe until feel dryness, apply more UC then wipe off.

Who what now?

Haha yes an input from you would be good!

[Murr1525]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

Who what now?

[walletless]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

/awais Murr's reply! Haha.

Yup, murr gives great advice.. I hope he replies here soon as well.

[walletless]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

here is my $0.02 on your questions. Keep in mind, I am a n00b too, so others can feel free to correct me if I am wrong :-)

After I wash I usually rinse the car with flowing water (without a hose as it leaves less water spots if water flows more fluidly). I then wipe it down with the microfibre cloth. Should I use another clean microfibre mitt while I rinse the car or is it okay to just use water?

If you re claying immediately after, I would not worry too much about completely drying, since you will be spraying soap/lubricant anyway. Sheeting with water should be good enough IMO - no need to use a MF Mitt (in fact, I would not use it anyway - reduce how much you touch the paint)

As I don't have the claying lubricant, I use a spray bottle to spray water while I am claying, can I use water instead of claying lubricant? I don't mind working harder.

Beaten to death above :-)

UC - How long should I be rubbing on one spot, until I do not see any white spots? I've seen the UC video and applied by hand, it was about 1-2minutes on one spot and generally wipe off while it is still wet as leaving it on too long will have the compound turn dusty/solidify and will scratch the paint.

My general rule is that if the pad is close to drying up, I apply more UC. You don't want UC to completely dry - you should be able to easily wipe it off once you are done correcting

UP - Is it necessary to use a polishing cloth or can I use the microfibre cloth to wipe off? I've got lots of Meguair's microfibre cloth and wouldn't want to waste them.

I did not know separate polishing cloths exist.. I use a semi-plush MF towel for wipe off, or use Meguiar's supreme shine if you have one. The key is to not use something too rough as you don't want to introduce new scratches immediately after compounding/polishing. Also don't use too much pressure, and fold the towel into half twice, so you can don't risk fingerprinting.

Applicator pads - Are the ones I've bought fine to use for all products?

No experience using applicator pads on entire car.. more of a machine person.. someone else might have better answer on this one

[yuriko]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

Hi walletless, cheers for the feedback. I think I'll just go get the lubricant to be safe however will try using car wash as detergent is generally not good for the paint from what I've learnt.

I've asked a couple of questions in my first post, can anyone assist with it? ^_^

/awais Murr's reply! Haha.

[walletless]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

car wash soap should be generally safe. Use it at a higher dilution ratio than what you generally use.. you want the surface to be really slick when claying, otherwise you risk marring the paint.
If you plan to wax you car later anyway, you can use a dish washing detergent as well.. it will strip off the existing wax - which you don't need anyway.

[yuriko]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

Thanks for the comments.

I have to import these into NZ, unfortunately I already placed the order for my products and forgot to order the lubricant. Prices over here in NZ are very expensive (almost 3x from what I order from AGO). I will go to the auto store and have a look. Will try car wash soup if anyone can vouch it is safe?

[Scott's 62]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

You can use a bucket that has your car wash soap in it as clay lube as well, ive done this a time or two clay while I wash.

[walletless]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

water for claying = no. Pick up quick detailer from local auto store.. if you are really trying to penny pinch, some people seem to suggest using dish washing liquid while claying.. never tried it though, so not sure of dilution ratio.

Where did you buy clay from? Most OTC clay bars (Megs, Mothers, etc) come with a lubricant

[yuriko]

Re: Just another fan - Journey of a new detailer

Can't edit now but would also like to know :

Claying and UC-ing the windows. I've read that it is fine on windows but was wondering if it is okay to use on tinted windows or will it damage the tint?

Thank you.

[yuriko]

Hi guys,

First of all I would like to thank every single person for their comments and feedback on questions posted by forumers. It has been an abundent learning experience for me. In my time having trouble getting registered to this forum I've watched and read a ton of reviews in regards to the products that I have just bought. At times forgetting what was said and gone back to review again.

I have not done a full detail yet (tried claying my hood once and wax). This is all new and fascinating to me. However from what I've read, I've come up with a plan and would like your assistance. Don't hold back on the comments as what needs to be said has to be said! (Only way for me to learn and improve!)

Alright, so here's the plan, its simple and was advised by Mike after I emailed him (Mike its Joseph btw).

I will first list the products that I've bought. Note that some are not Meguairs.

• Ultimate Compound
• Ultimate Polish
• NXT Gen Tech Wax
• SwirlX
• ColorX
• Stoner Invisible Glass Reach & Clean
• Mothers Ultra-Soft Microfiber Applicator Pad
• Red Wax/Sealant Applicator Pad
• Meguiars Supreme Shine Microfiber
• Meguiars Quik Interior Detailer

Steps recommended to take (All done by hand no buffers):

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. UC
4. UP
5. NXT Gen Tech Wax

Questions in regards to steps taken:

1. After I wash I usually rinse the car with flowing water (without a hose as it leaves less water spots if water flows more fluidly). I then wipe it down with the microfibre cloth. Should I use another clean microfibre mitt while I rinse the car or is it okay to just use water?
2. As I don't have the claying lubricant, I use a spray bottle to spray water while I am claying, can I use water instead of claying lubricant? I don't mind working harder.
3. UC - How long should I be rubbing on one spot, until I do not see any white spots? I've seen the UC video and applied by hand, it was about 1-2minutes on one spot and generally wipe off while it is still wet as leaving it on too long will have the compound turn dusty/solidify and will scratch the paint.
4. UP - Is it necessary to use a polishing cloth or can I use the microfibre cloth to wipe off? I've got lots of Meguair's microfibre cloth and wouldn't want to waste them.
5. Applicator pads - Are the ones I've bought fine to use for all products?

Just a bit more info, my car has not been swirl free for who knows how long, I believe that is why Mike has suggested using UC over SwirlX. I will probably use SwirlX after UC as swirl marks and scratches will not be a big issue.

As for ColorX vs UP, my car is around 7 years old and I believe the colour has not faded (from some reviews I've heard only use ColorX if colour seems dull on the car), so go for UP? As for polishing, I will be using the applicator pads that I bought, is polishing the same as putting wax on? As in method wise, don't put too much as you want a thin coat.

Thanks for reading and I've tried to label everything as this is a long post.

Cheers,
Joe